Cannon Beach

It’s the end of August at Cannon Beach in a dog-friendly hotel with kids, grand-kids, friends, dogs, and grand-dogs. And it’s been grand.

A few words about granddogs. Some of the long time readers know that a year and a half ago, my daughter and grandson, Colt, adopted a dog named Snowflake who was billed as a “great family pet.” What the sellers didn’t say in the fine print was that Snowflake had been a mommy-dog in a puppy mill, and she had spent her previous life in an isolated situation (wooden outbuilding) where she had developed no social skills. She was petrified of everything from hairspray to flushing toilets, fireworks to traffic noise. A passing garbage truck could send her into a blind panic. For a while the folks at the Academy for Canine Behavior thought she was so damaged that she would never be a family pet.

But now she is. Almost two years of being in a loving home have transformed her. She spent the day today, wandering back and forth among ten or so strangers gathered around a fire pit, hoping that at least one fallen roasted marshmallow that might land close enough for her to grab it. She loves the beach and she loves the water, and she is so bonded with our daughter that no leash is necessary.

This spring, in order to keep Snowflake company, Storm came into their family, another rescue, this one from a shelter north of Seattle. Storm is now seven months old and seventy pounds, and VERY tall. She looks as though she may be a cross between an Irish Wolfhound and a Poodle. Boot camp at the Academy definitely civilized her, but she is still a puppy! Bella took a dim view of all the puppy antics, and when Storm put her inquisitive nose too close to Bella, Bella made like a striking snake and tried to take a bite out of it. Storm has learned to keep a more respectful distance.

On Saturday, when we first got here, Storm wouldn’t go near the water unless our daughter’s body was between her and the wet. Now she’s learned to run on the beach and in and out of the water. She’s fast. She’s sleek. She’s a wolfhound!! You know that the moment you see her cut loose and run.

It’s Oregon in August. Yesterday it was so cool and comfortable on the beach that the sun got by me. Even though I put on sunscreen, I didn’t reapply it often enough and have the sunburned neck to prove it. This afternoon, sprinkles drove us inside from the fire pit, and now it’s raining hard.

We’ve had breakfasts at Pig-and-Pancake; we’ve waded in the water; we’ve sat around the campfire laughing and talking. Oh, and we’ve flown kites.

Last year Colt was too young to fly kites. Not this year. It’s been wonderful to see him mastering that skill and using full-body karate moves to put the kite through its paces. Colt’s kite is small. Uncle Alan’s kite, an Octopus, is not only large, it was also on a serious fishing line on a surf-casting rod. Late in the day yesterday, Uncle Alan handed the rod over to Colt and the string got away from him, as did the kite. Colt and Alan chased it and nearly got it back, but it lodged on the roof of Moe’s Restaurant. At dinner Colt asked if he could go up on the roof to get it. The answer to that was a definite N-O, but an obliging manager did go up and retrieve it. So the Octopus is not lost.

In other words it’s been fun. Just what the doctor ordered to get my head on track to go back to work. New book announcements went out last night, and all the new messages in my e-mail account tell me that September 10 is coming at me like a freight train.

10 thoughts on “Cannon Beach

  1. This sounds like such a great family get-together. Wonderful way to relax before your book comes out. I already have my copy to review and can hardly wait to read it.

  2. So glad you are enjoying our beautiful Oregon Coast! It is great we can give some enjoyment back to you for all you have given us over the years! Looking forward to reading the new book — I am always waiting for the next one it seems.

  3. It’s terrific to get an update on Snowflake! I wanted to ask about her but I knew I was becoming a pest, lol. Kudos go out to your daughter for not giving up on her. With all of Snowflake’s fears, it must have been tempting at times.
    I spent many family vacations over 45 years ago on the Oregon coast…by a little burg called Lincoln City. You describe the Coastal trips perfectly. Nice to know some things never change.

  4. Thank you for allowing us to vacation with you in our own little get away. Your Snowflake’s behavior change was due to a lot of love and care. It’s too bad things like that have to happen and totally unfair to the poor animals. Sharing with us through your blogs gives us an insight into the type of person you are. You are caring, have love of family, devotion to your writing and blessedly, your fans.

    Glad to see you take time to relax and then be able to return to your writing. Enjoy!

  5. Love your blog about the beach. We just finished a family retreat at Lincoln City, with kids, grandkids, one great grandson, 2 dogs, so much fun!!!

  6. I am so glad you’re having some well earned time to relax/play with your “extended” family. Happy Labor Day Weekend as well!

  7. Because it’s been four years since we’ve been to Cannon Beach your blog made me nostalgic and melancholy. Taste buds water with thoughs of clam chowder at Moe’s and breakfast at Pig-and-Pancake. Have you tried the Sailor Jack Muffins from the Cannon Beach Bakery? Marvelous!

    Love exploring tide pools around Haystack Rock, introducing the daughter-in-law and granddaughter to roasting hot dogs and marshmallows on the beach, sandcastles, and low tide walks around Hug Point.

    Thanks for jogging the memories, I’m ready to make reservations.

  8. I love how you and your daughter have taken in rescue dogs. There are so many that should be in homes instead of kennels. Every family should have at least one pet.

    We are cat people. Our last few cats have come from shelters. Now and then we get a stray who eats here, but is too afraid of people—so far.

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